Basir Jalali, senior Independent Election Commission official in Uruzgan Province dips his finger into a well of purple ink signifying he has voted. Mr. Jalali cast his vote in the September 18th Afghan Parliamentary elections at a polling site set up at the Operations Coordination Center in Tarin Kot. The polling site allowed Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police working at the OCCP to exercise their right to vote even though they were on duty during voting hours. Photo by Staff Sgt John Wollaston

Colonel Abdul Kahar, Deputy Commander 4th Brigade 205th Hero Corps, Afghan National Army hands in his ballot after casting his vote in the September 18th Parliamentary elections. A polling station was set up at the Operations Coordination Center in Tarin Kot to allow Afghan Army and Police on duty at the OCCP to cast their vote. Photo by Staff Sgt John Wollaston

Election observers in Kabul polling place. Photo USAID.

Afghan election ballots. Photo USAID.

Afghan election ballots. Photo USAID.

Voter at Kabul polling place. Photo USAID.

Afghan voter. Photo USAID.

Afghan voter displaying voting card.

Afghan voter. Photo USAID.

Afghan women in Kabul proudly show their blue fingers as evidence of their vote in the 2010 Parliamentary Elections. Photo USAID.

Afghan residents waiting to vote. Photo USAID.

Election observers. Photo USAID.

An Afghan election monitor validates a voter registration card while the voter dips his finger in ink. The ink stained finger shows he has voted in the countries first parliamentary elections, during Operation Enduring Freedom. (Courtesy photo)

IEC election worker. Photo USAID.